Now that Chick-fil-A has made the traffic quagmire a bit better another problem has come to roost at the intersection of East Yosemite Avenue and Northwoods Avenue.
A taco truck has set up what appears to be permanent residency on the northeast corner of the intersection in the Shell station parking lot.
As you might expect it has added to the traffic and confusion at what is arguably the most clogged intersection in town.
Even if this is what the city had in mind for expanding food truck court options throughout the city, one needs to ask the question: Would the city allow Burger King or some other high traffic food dining concern to open up on the fourth and final corner of the intersection that is already home to the likes of high volume of fast food places such as Chick-fil-A, In-and-Out Burger as well as McDonalds’?
Yes, the gas station is already there. But here’s the rub. By adding another food option with two driveways on top of the intersection is it sound for traffic flow or overall safety?
Perhaps the city needs to have an ordinance in place that gives the police department or the public works traffic division veto power over food truck locations that impose serious traffic flow issues.
If the taco truck continues to be a regular in this spot it is impacting traffic issues much like Chick-fil-a is but with no money in the game in terms of helping to address traffic backups and precarious vehicle movements. Chick-fil-A just spent a small fortune putting in a dedicated right turn lane into their operation that required new sidewalk, paving and other work.
If this is OK then what is to prevent La Estrella Taqueria just to the west from converting its parking lot into a food truck court with offerings such as Thai food, BBQ and such or either In-n-Out or McDonald’s allowing food trucks as well?
They are not likely to do so because it would given competition a low-cost entry fee to do business on what is clearly high priced real estate. Rest assured if they did the city would probably have a cow arguing they can’t do that because it makes traffic going in and out of their respective parking lots worse.
And if that is the case, why does a food truck in the Shell parking lot get a pass?
BatteriesPlus now
open for business
Just a short distance away from ground zero for dysfunction Manteca traffic planning you’ll find the city’s newest commercial venture — BatteriesPlus.
The store is located at 295 Commerce Avenue.
The store features batteries, light bulbs and fixtures, phone and tablet repair service, and key services.
Their forte is batteries for vehicles, golf carts, powered wheelchairs, lawn and garden, key FOBs, cameras, household needs and more.
A grand opening ribbon cutting is planned for Thursday, May 12, at noon.
I Love Manteca
was a big success
The Love Manteca volunteer event Saturday was a big success.
Jim Todd, one of the organizers, noted that all of the projects tackled were completed.
Eighteen teams of volunteers worked at 2 parks, 3 plazas, 4 shelters and their offices, and 5 fire stations. Included were teams that gave between 80 and 100 fire hydrants fresh coats of paint.
Sixteen volunteers provided struggling families food via the Second Harvest of the Central Valley food bank through a drive thru distribution effort.
Manteca police, fire and ambulance workers received cards, notes and snacks on behalf of thankful citizens.
“Everything we did was to show Manteca a bit of love in hopes that citizens know how special our city is,” Todd noted.
LoveManteca.com serves a clearing house to find out about upcoming service opportunities between the annual communitywide volunteer day efforts. The next citywide service day will be April 29, 2023.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
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